Moviecut—Blondie of the Follies

source: Blondie of the Follies

Blondie of the Follies

Yhis is a very entertaining film. Billie Dove and Jimmy Durante are given co star billing in this Marion Davies film. Durante appears at the end peforming a musical number, not seemingly involved with the other characters. It is widely known that Davies mentor, Ramdolph Hearst had editorial control over her films and may have cut parts where attention is given to other actors.Billie Dove a huge singing star of her time, decided to quit show business after this film. About an hour into the film, in a "woman to woman" talk between the characters played by Davies and Dove, Davies refers to Doves character name as Lurlene Callabash, Could Dove be Mr. Durante's famous Callabash of " goodnight Mrs. Calabash" ' his famous closing line from stage and TV years later? Historians say it was Durante's first wife.Any role playing between Durante and Dove may have been left on the cutting room floor.They at least worked on the same film together. Interesting,

...is that the movie was made during a certain blackout of musicals, so all but one number was cut. Some people pooh-poohed the Jimmy Durante scene, but I enjoyed it even though it was most likely a sly reference to the director who also directed the movie that scene was spoofed from. It probably appeased WRH considering he always preferred MD to do more drama and less comedy even though she was a natural comedian. The scene when Blondie's father visits her in her apartment gets me every time. It was probably that scene that got me obsessed with searching out who the stars were -- I originally caught the movie after the credits rolled, on PBS (pre-cable days). Great movie. So glad people are talking about this movie -- or any MD movie! More trivia: RM's daughter Elizabeth was the star of TV's Bewitched. Am I correct in guessing that Jenny McCarthy is EM's ex-daughter-in-law?

The title leads you to expect a breezy showbiz romp, but it actually segues unpredictably back & forth throughout between comedy and drama. The production is lavishly mounted - if in places disjointed - and Marion Davies is backed by a top supporting cast, while throughout proving herself entirely worthy of having such an elaborate edifice constructed around her. Once again we see Marion in drag, Marion the mimic (parodying Garbo in director Edmund Goulding's previous film 'Grand Hotel') and also Marion nimbly nipping about on crutches. One wonders what those in the know would have then made of Marion's creepy sugar daddy in the film, played by Douglass Dumbrille, forever shrugging his shoulders and remarking "I like blondes", as he unctuously makes his move on her.

Pleasant precode golddigger comedy with both Marion Davies and Billie Dove becoming kept women as well as Follies dancers to get a taste of the good life. Includes Marion Davies's parody of Greta Garbo with Jimmy Durante.

What a treat to see! BlONDIE OF THE FOLLIES is a very entertaining film with terrific performances by Marion Davies and Bille Dove. A great script by Anita Loos and Frances Marion and beautiful Art Deco sets by Cedric Gibbons make this fine film a must see. It is in Turner Classic Movies library, though it hardly ever gets shown. Be on the look out for it though, because it is a real treat. Fast, snappy and skillfully directed by one of the most underrated directors of Hollywood's Golden Age, Edmund Goulding, responsible for such classics as GRAND HOTEL and DARK VICTORY. If you want to read more about BLONDIE OF THE FOLLIES pick up the new Edmund Goulding biography. It's really very good.

One of Marion Davies' best performances in this snappy comedy/drama. Davies plays Blondie, a good girl who becomes a success in the follies despite her best friend's effort. Billie Dove (a big silent star in her best talkie role) is excellent as the friend. Robert Montgomery, Zasu Pitts, Sidney Toler, Douglas Dumbrille, and Jimmy Durante co-star. But this is Davies's film from beginning to end. She is totally wonderful, funny, touching, and gorgeous. Again and again I state that Marion Davies was major talent, a great star, and one of Hollywood's great beauties. She's also one of the finest comic actresses EVER! Watch this film and you'll see that Davies was an A-list star, one who deserves to be rediscovered. Blondie of the Follies may be a minor film, but it's well done, entertaining, and boasts terrific performances by Marion Davies and Billie Dove.